Chapter Summaries

Kusana praised the captured Shimura Danzō as a terrifyingly capable opponent while pretending to fear Konoha’s retaliation, and arranged to hold him for ransom until the war ended. Hanzo offered to kill Danzō and take responsibility himself, but Kusana refused and insisted that Danzō was Konoha’s problem.

• Kusana told Danzō that his defeat came from insufficient intelligence and lamented that Danzō was too weak to justify killing.
• Danzō accepted Kusana’s praise and regretted that his strength had been insufficient to escape Hanzo.
• Kusana ordered his people to guard Danzō and planned for Konoha to pay money to exchange for him after the war.
• Hanzo asked Kusana whether Danzō was truly terrifying and offered to kill him, defect from Amegakure, and declare war on Konoha.
• Kusana refused to let Hanzo kill Danzō, saying that Danzō was Konoha’s problem and should be left alone.

Kusana watched Danzo and Hanzo cooperate as Kusagakure and the Land of Rain returned to normal, while Konoha faced pressure to hand Rin Nohara over to Kirigakure. White Zetsu returned to Black Zetsu, who prepared Madara’s substitute plan and learned that White Zetsu suspected recruiting Kusana was a trap.

• Kusana taunted Danzo with praise, while Hanzo realized Kusana had tricked him and began cooperating with Kusagakure’s plans.
• Kusana wondered where White Zetsu and Mujie had gone, and read a report that Konoha had captured the Three-Tails.
• Konoha debated Kirigakure’s demand to return Rin Nohara, but the Third Hokage refused to discuss surrendering her as Kirigakure moved its forces closer.
• White Zetsu returned to meet Black Zetsu, who said the news from Konoha meant Madara’s substitute plan and his own return needed preparation.
• Black Zetsu asked about Kusana, and White Zetsu warned that recruiting him felt like a trap.

Kusana toured the Grass Ninja outpost, encouraged its workers, and hinted that peace and easier travel might soon be coming. Back at his office, White Zetsu arrived to take him away, and Kusana eagerly agreed to leave at once.

• Kusana visited the factory and spoke with Director Kawaisuke about his family and daughter’s school progress.
• Kusana told Kawaisuke that he might soon be able to return home and that a convenient new way to travel between the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain was coming.
• Kusana visited the mining site and told Daibutsu to keep supplying ore and refined metal for Elder Yang Zheng’s experiments.
• Daibutsu asked Kusana whether peace would come to the Land of Rain, and Kusana assured him that it would.
• White Zetsu met Kusana at his office, and Kusana eagerly asked when they would leave; White Zetsu said they could go right away.

Kusana met Madara Uchiha underground and expected to hear about the Infinite Tsukuyomi, but Madara instead asked him to take in Obito Uchiha and send him to the academy. The chapter left Kusana stunned by the request.

• Black Zetsu decided to bring Kusana to their underground cavern despite White Zetsu's warning that he might be a trap.
• Kusana discovered that Madara had set up speakers underground to listen to academy lessons and joked that Madara's love of studying should be recorded in Kusagakure's textbooks.
• Kusana met Madara Uchiha, who greeted him briefly before Spiral White Zetsu asked him for a job.
• Kusana offered Spiral White Zetsu a demanding work schedule, but Spiral White Zetsu declined so he could care for Madara and collect trash.
• Madara told Kusana to take in Obito Uchiha and make sure he attended the academy, leaving Kusana dumbfounded.

Kusana learned that the Battle of Kikyo Mountain had begun and realized the war was about to end, so he ordered Mujie to sell the intelligence for a huge sum. In Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi received a report about Kusagakure that left him stunned.

• Madara Uchiha dismissed White Zetsu's concerns and sent Obito to study instead of pushing him toward darkness.
• Mujie returned to Kusagakure and told Kusana he had recruited Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara by giving them talent-introduction plans.
• Mujie reported that Sunagakure and Iwagakure had attacked Kikyo Mountain and that Kirigakure had increased pressure on Konoha's border.
• Kusana realized the war was about to end and ordered Mujie to sell intelligence, which Mujie valued at at least a hundred million.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Minato to bring Rin Nohara back, then read an urgent report about Kusagakure and dropped his pipe in shock.

After Kusagakure’s scheme with Amegakure was exposed, the Five Great Ninja Villages condemned Kusagakure and threatened retaliation. Kusana tried to persuade Hanzō that the crisis offered the Land of Rain a path to peace, and Hanzō agreed to place Amegakure and the Land of Rain under Kusana’s command.

• Mujie admitted that he had leaked Kusagakure’s secret to the Five Great Ninja Villages, and Kusana ordered preparations for defense while arguing that the villages could not yet spare forces to attack.
• Hanzō arrived to report that the secret between Kusagakure and Amegakure had been discovered and suspected Danzo had leaked it.
• Kusana and Mujie concealed their role in the leak, letting Hanzō believe Konoha had uncovered the secret.
• Kusana urged Hanzō to declare war on the Five Great Ninja Villages, calling it an opportunity for peace in the Land of Rain.
• After asking whether Kusana had deceived him, Hanzō proposed a true alliance and said Amegakure and the Land of Rain would follow Kusana’s command.

Kusana accepted Hanzō’s offer to place Amegakure under his command, and the two villages allied and declared war on the Five Great Ninja Villages. As workers in the Land of Rain faced the coming conflict, Daibutsu prepared to leave for the battlefield with Kyusuke, Yahiko, and the others.

• Kusana agreed to Hanzō’s proposal, and Hanzō asked whether Kusana truly intended to bring peace to the Land of Rain; Kusana assured him he did.
• Mujie publicly rejected the Five Great Ninja Villages’ accusations and demands, while Hanzō announced Amegakure’s alliance with Kusagakure and declared war on the five villages.
• Kusagakure and Amegakure gathered factory and mining personnel in secure locations, and workers in the Land of Rain voiced support for Leader Mang despite their fear of war.
• An elderly worker told Daibutsu that he and his grandson had found safety and work thanks to Leader Mang, and Daibutsu agreed that they should keep doing their jobs.
• Kyusuke told Daibutsu he would soon head to the battlefield with Yahiko and the others; Daibutsu left the mine to join them, promising the workers he would return.

Kawaisuke wrote Shizuko a reassuring letter as war spread, while Obito defected from Konoha with Rin and fled toward the Land of Grass. Kusana intervened to stop Minato and the pursuing Konoha ninja at the border.

• Kawaisuke wrote Shizuko that Kusagakure and Amegakure were allied and asked her to keep Ryukako safe at the factory.
• Sunagakure and Kirigakure sent forces against Kusagakure and Amegakure, easing some pressure on Konoha as rumors blamed Danzo for leaking intelligence.
• Obito awakened his Mangekyo, took Rin, and fled Konoha, rejecting Minato’s pleas to return.
• Obito slashed his forehead protector and repeatedly evaded Minato’s Flying Thunder God Technique as he and Rin ran toward the Land of Grass.
• Kusana appeared at the border and used paper-like white swords to block the Konoha ninja from pursuing Obito and Rin.

Kusana blocked Minato Namikaze’s attempt to capture Obito and welcomed Obito and Rin into Kusagakure, while Minato returned to Konoha to report the failed mission and the border buildup. Obito learned that Madara had arranged for him to study in Kusagakure, where Yahiko and Nagato greeted him with a warning about their heavy homework.

• Kusana claimed Kusagakure would help Konoha capture its rogue ninja but demanded compensation for any losses.
• Minato noticed Kusagakure’s ninja assembled along the border and ordered the Konoha team to withdraw rather than force a confrontation.
• Kusana openly invited Minato to join Kusagakure, but Minato declined and left to report Obito and Rin’s defection and the border buildup.
• Minato secretly destroyed the Grass Ninja Village Talent Introduction Plan he had found, then comforted Kakashi as they headed back to Konoha.
• Kusana told Obito and Rin that an old man had asked him to ensure they studied in Kusagakure, and Obito excitedly identified the man as Teacher Madara.
• Yahiko and Nagato discussed their childhood homework with Obito and Rin, who were startled by Kusagakure’s academic workload.

Kusana prepared Kusagakure for war as Sunagakure and Kirigakure declared war, then Iwagakure and Kumogakure joined them and demanded compensation. Kusagakure rejected the Four Great Ninja Villages’ demands, and their forces attacked the Land of Grass.

• Kusana told Yahiko and the other two little ones to guard the border and stay safe, then revealed his plan to use the captive Danzo as a deterrent.
• Kusana flattered Danzo about supposedly sending intelligence, while Danzo denied it and insisted that Hiruzen was his only rival.
• Kusana arranged for Hanzo of the Salamander to handle Sunagakure and prepared to face Kirigakure as Iwagakure and Kumogakure declared war as well.
• Iwagakure and Kumogakure forces reached the Land of Grass and demanded ten times the money they had spent on intelligence.
• Kusagakure’s suspected Head of the Finance Department answered the Four Great Ninja Villages’ demands with “Get lost,” and their forces launched an attack.

Uzumaki Yangzheng, Hanzo, and their allies defended Kusagakure and Amegakure against attacks from Iwagakure and Sunagakure. Meanwhile, Konoha and Kirigakure prepared a secret strike on the Land of Grass, but White Zetsu discovered their plan and Kusana stopped him from leaving.

• Uzumaki Yangzheng rallied the clans and ninja gathered to hold the line against the coming attacks on Kusagakure.
• After Iwagakure demanded compensation and launched an assault, Kakuzu went out to fight, declaring that the attackers were interfering with his money-making.
• Hanzo of the Salamander rejected Chiyo's demand to let Sunagakure pass and began fighting her forces after receiving intelligence that the battle had begun.
• Kusagakure and Amegakure joined forces and blocked the Three Great Ninja Villages' assault instead of being quickly conquered.
• Konoha and Kirigakure agreed to end their war and planned a secret strike on the Land of Grass, but White Zetsu uncovered their intelligence.
• Kusana tried to recruit White Zetsu and then refused to let him leave, asking him to help with a problem amid a field of Explosive Tags.

Kusana ambushed the Mist Ninja force with an explosive paper dragon and then summoned ten more, overwhelming the surviving swordsmen. As the Mist Ninja began to retreat, the Mizukage arrived and trapped one of Kusana’s dragons.

• Raiga Kurosuki urged the Mist Ninja to assassinate the Grass Ninja Leader, while Jūzō Biwa warned him against repeating their disastrous Konoha mission.
• Kusana and his Grass Ninja allies ambushed the Mist force, and the Mist swordsmen counterattacked through the mist.
• Kusana’s paper dragon exploded, killing many Mist Ninja and injuring the three surviving swordsmen.
• Kusana summoned ten more dragons, prompting Suikazan Fuguki to order a retreat.
• The Mizukage arrived, trapped one of Kusana’s dragons with Water Prison Technique, and drew excited cheers from the Mist Ninja.

Kusana lured the Third Mizukage into a trap and fought him while the Mist Ninja clashed with the Grass Ninja. After a hidden explosion devastated the retreating Mist forces, Kusana surrounded the Third Mizukage with paper swords, preparing to end the battle.

• The Third Mizukage realized Kusana had lured him out, declared Kirigakure's surrender and offered an alliance, but Kusana gave no reply.
• The Third Mizukage ordered a retreat and attacked Kusana with Water Style, while Suikazan Fuguki, Jūzō Biwa, and Raiga Kurosuki led the Mist Ninja away from the fighting.
• The Mist Ninja continued battling the Grass Ninja, and a giant dragon swallowed a Kaguya Clan fighter who refused to retreat.
• Kusana warned the Third Mizukage that the fleeing Mist Ninja would not escape, and a huge explosion struck them after White Zetsu planted traps ahead.
• The Third Mizukage vowed to kill Kusana, who summoned countless paper swords and surrounded him with Infinite Paper Sword.

Kusana defeated the Third Mizukage and led the Grass Ninja to victory against the Mist, while Konoha arrived too late to intervene. After learning the other fronts were holding, Kusana set out to end the war as Kakuzu dominated the battle against Iwa.

• Kusana overwhelmed the Third Mizukage with his Infinite Paper Sword, and the Mizukage fell defeated.
• A Grass Ninja reported that fewer than fifty Mist Ninja had escaped, two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had fled, and Raiga Kurosuki had been killed; Kusana ordered the pursuit stopped.
• Minato and Konoha Anbu arrived as Kusana declared the Grass Ninja victorious and withdrew with his forces.
• Kusana learned that Kakuzu had nearly taken control of the battlefield against Iwa and ordered his forces to move to end the war.
• Kakuzu seized the Iwa force's leader and confronted the surrounding Iwa Ninja, who realized he was Kusagakure's Head of the Finance Department.

Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara arrived in the orderly Land of Grass and learned that Kusagakure had nearly brought the war to an end. Obito reunited with Spiral White Zetsu, who slipped away to look after Madara and left him a note promising a meal next time.

• A Grass Ninja escorted Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara through Kusagakure, explaining their restrictions, accommodations, and postponed school enrollment.
• Obito recognized Spiral White Zetsu collecting trash and tearfully greeted him after returning to Kusagakure.
• A Grass Ninja announced that the Grass Ninja Leader had defeated Kirigakure's Mizukage and repelled enemy forces, while Kakuzu had driven back the Rock Ninja.
• Kusagakure's residents celebrated the news that the war was nearing its end, and Obito felt relieved that he and Rin could live in peace.
• Spiral White Zetsu disappeared after leaving Obito a note saying he was going to look after Madara and would treat him to a meal next time.

After Kusagakure repelled the Four Great Ninja Villages, Hanzo of the Salamander celebrated while Chiyo ordered Sunagakure to withdraw and warned him against supporting Kusagakure. News of Kusagakure’s strength and the reappearance of the Uzumaki Clan spread across the ninja world, leaving Konoha’s leaders to consider their response.

• Hanzo of the Salamander learned that Kusagakure had repelled the invading ninja and celebrated its victory.
• Chiyo admitted Sunagakure had lost the battle and ordered its forces to withdraw, despite warning Hanzo that Kusagakure’s secrets could bring Amegakure to ruin.
• Hanzo refused to change his support for Kusagakure, and after Sunagakure withdrew, he urged Kusagakure’s leader to keep his promise.
• Yahiko’s team learned the campaign had ended and, on Nagato’s advice, kept Danzo near the Land of Fire border while awaiting orders.
• News of the defeat and the Third Mizukage’s death shocked the ninja world, while Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Konoha’s leaders how they should respond to the intelligence.

Hiruzen Sarutobi considered drawing Kusagakure and the Uzumaki Clan closer to Konoha to help end the war, but both letters revealed their reluctance to join the fighting. Meanwhile, Kusana focused on postwar plans and told Hanzo of the Salamander that peace in the Land of Rain required cleaning up the country from within.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi and his advisors discussed Kushina's wish to visit Kusagakure, the Uzumaki Clan, and ways to ease tensions and bring the war to an end.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to have Minato calm Kushina and to send envoys to the Uzumaki Clan and Kusagakure, while wondering where Danzo had gone.
• Konoha received a letter from Kusagakure saying it needed time to recover before sending help, followed by an Uzumaki Clan letter that simply declared, “The Leader is right!”
• Kusana arranged for Uzumaki Yangzheng to explore a Lightning Chariot route to the Land of Rain and suggested Kakuzu could profit from it.
• Hanzo of the Salamander confronted Kusana about his promise to bring peace to the Land of Rain, and Kusana said the first step was to clean up the country from within.

Ame led Amegakure and Kusagakure ninja in an operation to gather Rain Country civilians in safe places and drive out hostile forces. Kusana left Hanzo to oversee the effort, while the teams began approaching civilians peacefully, hoping to bring them a new life.

• Ame told the assembled ninja to prioritize civilian safety and promised that Rain Country children might attend Kusagakure's academy after the mission.
• Ame sent the Amegakure and Kusagakure teams out to gather civilians and expel enemies from the Land of Rain.
• Hanzo recalled his failed efforts to bring peace to the Land of Rain and thanked Kusana, who left to check on Elder Yang Zheng's Lightning Chariot construction.
• A Kusagakure Uzumaki ninja advised an Amegakure team to use their identities rather than knock civilians unconscious and carry them away.
• An Amegakure ninja gently knocked on a battered house door and called for the villagers to open it.

Daibutsu received a letter from his former mining coworkers describing the Land of Rain’s recovery and the hope of peace, while Scorpion arrived in the country intending to gather corpses for his Crimson Secret Technique. He joined a relief line to investigate the changed situation and gave his name as Scorpion.

• Daibutsu read a letter from the miners, who described resumed mail service, joint relief efforts, and plans to rebuild the Land of Rain.
• Kyusuke complained that nobody had written to him, while Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan read letters from people close to them.
• Daibutsu kept his letter private and went outside, smiling as he reflected on the prospect of peace in the Land of Rain.
• Scorpion arrived in the Land of Rain seeking ninja corpses for his Crimson Secret Technique and was surprised to see Grass Ninja and Rain Ninja working together to aid refugees.
• A Grass Ninja mistook Scorpion for a hungry refugee and directed him to register for food, so Scorpion joined the line to investigate.
• When a Grass Ninja asked his name at registration, Scorpion answered, “Scorpion.”

Scorpion arrived in the Land of Rain to gather intelligence and pursue the Crimson Secret Technique, but Rain ninja and Grass ninja brought him to a relief station for refugees. After registering, eating a generous meal, and hearing that clean clothes and baths were provided, he remained suspicious of what Amegakure and Kusagakure were doing.

• Scorpion traveled to the Land of Rain after believing the war was nearing its end.
• Rain ninja and Grass ninja found Scorpion in a ruined house and escorted him to a refugee relief station.
• A Grass ninja clerk registered Scorpion, gave him an identity slip, and directed him to meals and work opportunities.
• Scorpion joined the food line, received rice, vegetables, meat, and soup, and ate the meal despite suspecting it might be poisoned.
• After returning his tray, Scorpion heard that refugees could bathe and receive clothes, and decided to investigate.